Ironing table with foldable legs



Jan, 3, 3950 .J. B. OCONNOR 2,493,018

IRONING TABLE WITH FOLDABLE LEGS Filed Nov. 9, 1946 Patented Jan. 3, 1950 IRONING TABLE WITH FOLDABLE LEGS John B. OConnor, Aurora, 111., assignor toxllyon' Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, 111., a Y corporation of Illinois Application November 9, 1946, Serial No. 708 ,826 (o1. 3s 117) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to ironing tables of the legs of the table are hinged to the ironing board insuch a manner that they spread sideways when unfolded to give the table lateral stability. These legs arebraced by transversely crossed straps which likewise are hinged to the ironing board. Prior constructions of this character have been found objectionable in that there is excessive slapping of the crossed braces when the table is folded and unfolded, or jarred while in use.

A primary object of the present invention is to eliminate the undesirable slapping action of the braces, and it is proposed to accomplish the foregoing by slideably interlocking the braces where they cross each other so as to reduce the amount of play between them.

A further object achieved by interlocking the braces is to reinforce them and thereby add to the rigidity of the structure.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a certain preferred embodiment is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ironing table of the folding-leg type as set up for use, the table being constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view looking toward the underside of the ironing board, the table being shown folded Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the ironing table, unfolded;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of certain mounting details associated with the rear legs and braces of the ironing table.

The ironing board proper, designated by the reference numeral I0, is supported by two rear legs 12 and a forwardly extending oblique leg l4. The leg I4 is connected at one end thereof to the underside of the board I8 by a hinge I6. At its other, or lower, end the leg l4 carries a pad l8 of rubber or other suitable material for frictionally gripping the floor or like supporting surface when the ironing table is set up. The legs l2 likewise are provided with frictional pads 28 at their lower ends. Links 22 extend from the leg l4 to the legs IZ respectively, being pivotally' connected to each of the legs l2 and I4 intermediate the ends thereof.

The rear legs 42 are pivotally connected at their upper ends, as indicated at 28-, Fig. 5, to depending flanges 24 on the sides of a hinge bracket 26 secured to the underside of the board Ill; The portions of the flanges 24 to whichthe legs I2 are connected are angularly offset so as to diverge down'wardly', causing the pivots 28 to be disposed obliquely whereby the legs l2, when unfolded, are spread as shown in Fig. 3' to firmly support the ironing board [8. Links 38 extend from the pivots 28 to a sliding block 32 that forms part of a latch mechanism, generally designated 34, carried by the leg H. The leg I4 is channelshaped, and the block 32' is disposed to slide within the channel. A detent 36 cooperates with the block 32 for holding this block latched when the ironing table is set up. The details of the latching mechanism are familiar to those skilled in the art and do not constitute part of the present invention.

As mentioned hereinabove, the rear legs 12 of the ironing table are reinforced by transversely crossed braces. Such braces are afforded in the present instance by straps 38 and 48 which are respectively pivoted as indicated at 42 (Fig. 5) to the flanges 24 of the bracket 26, each of the straps 38 and 48 extending diagonally downward and being connected by a rivet 44 to the opposite leg l2 so that the straps cross at approximately their midportions.

In accordance with the principles of the invention, there is provided a sliding interconnection between the straps 38 and 48. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention such interconnection is afforded by passing the strap 48 through a longitudinal slit in the midportion of the strap 38. The portions 46 and 48 of the strap 38 adjacent the slit are offset with respect to the remainder of the strap 38, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to enable passage of the strap 48 through the opening thus defined in strap 38. The straps or braces 38 and 48 move with the legs I2 when the latter are folded and unfolded, the strap 48 working lengthwise of the strap 38 in the space between the offset portions 46 and 48, which are spaced apart sufiiciently to afford a slidin fit with the strap 48 without undue free play.

The above described sliding interconnection between the straps 38 and 48 effectively restrains slapping of these straps and adds to the rigidity of the leg structure. It will be understood, of course, that other means may be employed to 3 afford the sliding interconnection if desired. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

In an ironing table which includes an ironing board and a pair of supporting legs hinged to said board, a pair of transversely crossed straps hinged to said board and connected respectively to said legs for bracing the same, one of said straps having a longitudinal slit substantially in the midportion thereof, the integral portions of said strap adjacent said slit being relatively offset to enable passage of the other of said straps between such relatively oifset portions.

2. In an ironing table which includes an ironing board and a pair of supporting legs hinged to said board, a pair of transversely crossed straps hinged to said board and connected respectively to said legs for bracing the same, one of said straps having a longitudinal slit substantially in its midportion, the parts of said strap adjacent said slit being offset in opposite directions at right angles to the surface of said strap in an amount sufl'icient to enable passage of the other of said straps between said offset parts without excessive play between the straps.

3. In an ironing table which includes an ironing board and a pair of supporting legs therefor, a bracket secured to the underside of said board and having flanges extending therefrom, pivots respectively connecting said legs to said flanges, the portions of said flanges on which said legs are pivoted being angularly ofiset to diverge downwardly, a pair of straps respectively connected to said legs, and pivots connecting said straps respectively to said flanges, said straps being transversely crossed and one of said straps having an elongated slit formed therein longitudinally of its length and substantially centrally thereof with the metal of the strap at one side of the slit bent laterally out of the plane of the slit to form an elongated oifset narrower strap integral with the main strap and whereby to provide an elongated opening between the integral main and narrow straps, said other strap passing in cross relation through said opening so as to prevent said straps from separating relatively while being capable of sliding relative to each other.

4. An ironing table which includes an ironing board and a pair of supporting legs therefor, a bracket secured to the underside of said board and having flanges extending therefrom, pivots connecting said legs respectively to said flanges, the portions of said flanges on which said legs are pivoted being angularly offset to diverge downwardly, a pair of straps respectively connected to said legs, and pivots respectively connecting said straps to the flanges opposite said legs, one of said straps having a longitudinal slit therein and relatively offset integral portions adjoining said slit to enable passage of the other of said straps between the relatively offset portions.

JOHN B. OCONNOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,801,151 Gomber Apr. 14, 1931 2,308,035 Watling Jan. 12, 1943 

